Side by side comparison and review of Garmin Instinct Solar and Apple Watch Ultra. Compare design, displays, functions, batteries and other key specifications and features to simplify the choice of your perfect smartwatch. Our goal is to make it easier for you to decide on the watch that will best meet your expectations by revealing the main differences between the products.
GENERAL | Garmin Instinct Solar | Apple Watch Ultra |
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Product Type | Sport watch | Smart watch |
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Operating System | - | WatchOS |
Supported Host Device OS | iOS, Android | iOS 16 or later |
Activity/Sport | Running, swimming, ski, cycling, hiking, fishing, climbing, snowboarding, rower, kayaking, hunting, jumpmaster, stand up paddleboarding | Multisport |
Wearing Style | Watch style | Watch style |
Audio Input | - | Three-microphone array |
Audio Output | - | Dual speakers |
Width | 45 mm | - |
Height | 45 mm | - |
Depth | 15.3 mm | - |
Weight | 53 g | - |
Body Details | - | Case only: 61.3 g |
Body Material | Fibre-reinforced polymer | Aerospace-grade titanium |
Protection | Waterproof | Water-resistant, splash-resistant, corrosion resistant, dust-resistant |
Colours | Pipeline | Tidal blue | Cloudbreak | - |
Clock Display | Yes | Yes |
FEATURES | Garmin Instinct Solar | Apple Watch Ultra |
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Sensors | Accelerometer, barometer, thermometre, altimeter, 3-axis compass, optical heart sensor | Accelerometer, ambient light sensor, digital compass, depth gauge, electrical heart sensor, ECG sensor, blood oxygen sensor, gyroscope, water temperature sensor, temperature sensing, optical heart sensor (3d gen), always-on altimeter |
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Tracking Data | Distance, time, speed, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, steps taken, floors climbed, blood oxygen saturation, stress level | Distance, time, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, sleep stages, menstrual cycle, ECG, ovulation phase, rapid eye movement (REM), depth |
Modes | Stealth mode | Night mode |
Goal Setting | Yes | Yes |
Features | Music remote handling, Heart Rate target zone selector, find phone function, Bluetooth Smart technology, VIRB control, inactivity alert, Move IQ, Find my Device, Garmin Elevate, TrueUp, Body Battery, solar charging, night vision compatibility, dual grid coordinates format, trackback routing | Call handling, store & play music, Fall detection, Emergency SOS, heart rate zones, brightness: 2000 nits, Family Setup support, International Emergency Calling, Siren (86-decibel), Crash Detection, noise monitoring, Compass Waypoint |
Notifications | Missed calls, calendar, SMS, Email, social apps | Calendar, SMS, Email, high and low heart rate, irregular rhythm, cardio fitness |
Vibrating Alert | Yes | Yes |
Feedback Type | - | Audio alert, vibration alert, visual interface |
Navigation (GPS) | GPS/GLONASS/Galileo receiver | GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/BeiDou/QZSS receiver |
Payment Technology | - | Apple Pay |
Internet of Things (IoT) Compatible | - | Yes |
IoT Intelligent Assistant | - | Siri |
IoT Voice Controlled | - | Direct |
CELLULAR | Garmin Instinct Solar | Apple Watch Ultra |
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Technology | - | WCDMA (UMTS) |
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Mobile Broadband Generation | - | 4G |
SIM Card Type | - | Electronic SIM card (e-SIM) |
CONNECTIVITY | Garmin Instinct Solar | Apple Watch Ultra |
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3M UMTS Band | - | Band 1, Band 2, Band 5, Band 8, Band 10 |
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4G LTE Band | - | Band 1, Band 2, Band 3, Band 4, Band 5, Band 6, Band 7, Band 8, Band 18, Band 19, Band 20, Band 25, Band 26, Band 28, Band 39, Band 40, Band 41, Band 66 |
Wireless Interface | Bluetooth, ANT+ | IEEE 802.11b/g/n, LTE, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth 5.3 |
DISPLAY | Garmin Instinct Solar | Apple Watch Ultra |
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Type | Memory-in-Pixel LCD - monochrome - transflective | Retina LTPO OLED - colour |
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Resolution | 128 x 128 pixels | 410 x 502 pixels |
Dimensions (WxH) | 23 mm x 23 mm | - |
Screen Protection | Power Glass | Flat sapphire front crystal with display edge protection |
Always On Display (AOD) | - | Yes |
INPUT DEVICE | Garmin Instinct Solar | Apple Watch Ultra |
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Type | Touch buttons | Touch sensitive screen, customisable action button, side button |
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CASE | Garmin Instinct Solar | Apple Watch Ultra |
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Case Size | - | 49 mm |
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Case Shape | Round | Rectangular |
Case Details | Graphite | Black | Moss | Flame red | Sunburst | Lichen camo | Titanium |
Crown Type | - | Digital with haptic feedback |
BAND | Garmin Instinct Solar | Apple Watch Ultra |
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Band Type | Band | Alpine Loop |
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Band Size | - | S |
Band Width | 22 mm | - |
Fits Wrist with Circumference | 132-224 mm | 130-160 mm |
Changeable | Yes | Yes |
Clasp Type | Buckle | G-hook |
Band Material | Silicone | Textile |
Band Colour | Graphite | Black | Moss | Flame red | Sunburst | Lichen camo | Orchid | Graphite camo | Orange | Green | Yellow/beige | Blue/gray | Starlight | Black/gray | White | Yellow | Midnight |
STORAGE | Garmin Instinct Solar | Apple Watch Ultra |
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Storage Capacity | - | 32 GB |
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CPU | Garmin Instinct Solar | Apple Watch Ultra |
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Manufacturer | - | Apple |
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CPU Type | - | S8 SiP |
Features | - | W3 Apple wireless chip, U1 chip |
BATTERY | Garmin Instinct Solar | Apple Watch Ultra |
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Technology | Lithium Ion | Lithium Ion |
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Battery Life | 56 day(s) | 36 hours |
Battery Life Details | Smartwatch mode - up to 24 days Smartwatch mode (with solar) - up to 54 days Battery Saver Watch Mode - up to 56 days Max Battery GPS Mode - up to 30 hour(s) Max Battery GPS Mode (with solar) - up to 38 hour(s) |
Normal use - up to 36 hour(s) With LTE - up to 18 hour(s) Power saving mode - up to 60 hour(s) |
Rechargeable Battery | Yes | Yes |
Wireless Charging | - | Yes |
MISCELLANEOUS | Garmin Instinct Solar | Apple Watch Ultra |
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Included Accessories | Charging/data cable | Magnetic fast charger to USB-C cable (1 m) |
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Preloaded Software | - | GymKit, Oceanic+ |
Compliant Standards | MIL-STD-810 | IP6X, MIL-STD-810H, EN13319 |
SAR Value | - | 0.35 W/kg (head), 0.6 W/kg (limb) |
Max Depth of Water Resistance | 100 m | 100 m |
Max Operating Temperature | - | 55 °C |
Min Operating Temperature | - | -20 °C |
Manufacturer Model Number | - | A2684 |
Warranty | - | 1-year warranty |